Boss Conte lifts lid on Chelsea owner Abramovich’s passion for Blues

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has revealed owner Roman Abramovich studies the training videos shown to Blues players, such is his passion for knowledge about the game.

Former Italy chief Conte, drafted in as the Stamford Bridge chief in the summer, says he is delighted with the studious approach the billionaire takes to tactics and team formation.

Conte has enjoyed a decent start to his first season in the Premier League and lifted the lid on the publicity-shy Abramovich during an interview with Sky Italia.

He said: “He’s a very demanding employer but a great football enthusiast.Mr Abramovich is an employer and owner who has great passion for football. He wants to know and understand your ideas”.

“He went to Austria to follow our training sessions. He comes to Cobham to spend time with us and watch the videos I show to my players, because he really wants to understand. I think this is wonderful”.

Meanwhile, Conte could struggle to persuade unwanted pair Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window, reports suggest.

Fabregas and Ivanovic are said to be two senior Blues aces who no longer fit into the side and are poised to be offloaded, but reports suggest neither player is keen to leave.

Fabregas has been revealed as the club’s highest paid star and his wages are the main reason Conte is ready to show him the door.

The Spain international picks up £220,000-a-week once his image rights and other bonuses are accounted for — more than the likes of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa.